The WPBSA do not consider the six-time world champion Steve Davis to have breached any rules

Snooker's governing body have launched an investigation into Steve Davis' 4-0 win over Thailand's Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in a PTC tournament due to concerns over betting patterns.

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) today said they were to examine the circumstances of the third-round match in Gloucester on Saturday.

The WPBSA were made aware of odds on Asian betting exchanges moving considerably in the hours before the match.

Thepchaiya began as an odds-on favourite. By the time the match began, he was odds-against.

It is understood the WPBSA do not consider six-time world champion Davis, 55, to have breached any rules.

A statement from the governing body said: "The WPBSA have become aware of unusual betting patterns on a match that took place during Players Tour Championship 3 at the South West Snooker Academy on 8 Saturday September 2012 between Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and Steve Davis.

"This matter has been referred to Nigel Mawer, head of the WPBSA's integrity unit, to make preliminary enquiries to establish what has taken place and to consider if any action is appropriate."

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: "The WPBSA has a network of international partners to monitor such issues. We take any potential breach of the members betting rules very seriously.

"Any player found guilty of such a breach is likely to be banned for life from snooker. Protecting the integrity of the sport of snooker is of paramount importance."